Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Today, leaders in the Vermont House of Representatives announced plans to fully fund SNAP (3SquaresVT) and LIHEAP benefits in Vermont to stem the impact of the federal government shutdown impacting Vermonters. Without state action, over 65,000 Vermonters would lose access to these critical programs, which provide essential support for food security and heating fuel assistance to working families, low-income households, and older Vermonters. Governor Scott said at his press conference Wednesday in Burlington that Congress seems more willing to fund LIHEAP than SNAP. In addition, the cost of SNAP in Vermont is $13 million a month. 

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced his short-term action plan to address some of the challenges facing Burlington. This plan, which was developed in coordination with community members, business leaders, service providers and partners at the state and local level, outline additional actions to hold individuals accountable and connect them with services they need, help revitalize the downtown Burlington area, and more. This plan augments the collaboration announced previously with the Judiciary, state’s Attorney, and Defender General.

Vermont Business Magazine Average gasoline prices in Vermont are $3.10 per gallon, down 4 cents per gallon from last week, down 8 cents/g from a month ago and down 7 cents/g from a year ago. Oil prices increased more than 5% on Thursday after the Trump administration imposed additional sanctions on Russia’s two largest crude oil companies. The national average price of gasoline rose 2 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.07/g, after briefly dipping below $3 to $2.98/g Monday. The national average is down 10 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 8 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, according to AAA.

Vermont Business Magazine The onset of fall sends Vermont’s bats into motion, which makes it an important time for conservation-minded Vermonters to learn about, and help conserve, our nine native bat species. If you have noticed bats roosting in your attic, barn or office over the summer, fall and spring are the perfect times to safely evict these uninvited guests from your property.  Bats migrate between winter and summer roosts during the fall and spring and do not have vulnerable young at these times.  You can learn how to safely evict bats from your building at the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department’s best management practices page. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont is one of the most rural states in the country, and Vermonters have a proud heritage of living close to the land.  Hunting is highly regulated and provides a way to connect with the land, connect with nature and connect with a healthy, sustainable food source that is rooted in Vermont. Making the most of the meals provided by deer taken in hunting seasons starts with processing them quickly and correctly which is why the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has three online videos demonstrating how to process deer.  

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s regulated land and water trapping seasons open on October 25, 2025, according to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. Traps can be set on land for species such as fox, coyote and raccoon through December 2025, and in the water or under ice for species such as beaver, muskrat and otter through March 2026.  These species have healthy populations in Vermont that can sustain regulated trapping for fur and food each year. In December 2023, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board adopted amended regulations that require trappers to use traps that reduce harm to captured animals and to follow safety measures to minimize conflicts with pets and other outdoors users.

Vermont State Police Search efforts continue Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, for missing Middlebury College student Lia Smith. Thursday morning, a comprehensive search began of multiple locations in and around Middlebury. Participating agencies in the search include the Middlebury Police Department, the Vermont State Police Search and Rescue Team, game wardens with the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife, representatives from various Addison County law-enforcement agencies, North Country Search Dogs, New Hope Search and Rescue, and members of the public including the Middlebury College community. Lia, a 21-year-old from Woodside, California, has not been located. She is last known to have been seen on campus Friday night, Oct 17, and was reported missing Sunday, Oct. 19.

Vermont Business Magazine Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark will hold a press conference tomorrow to discuss their actions to restore $7 billion in Solar for All funding that the Trump administration illegally canceled. Clark has filed multiple lawsuits to defend Solar for All, the program Sanders created to slash utility bills for working families, create thousands of good-paying jobs and take bold action to combat the existential threat of climate change. Solar for All would help lower residential electricity bills by up to 80% for more than 900,000 households nationwide, saving working families more than $8.7 billion over the lifetime of the panels. 

Vermont Business Magazine Grizzly MEP, a commercial mechanical, electrical and plumbing platform based in Atlanta, GA, has announced the expansion of its platform through a new partnership with Vermont Mechanical Incorporated, a full-service mechanical contractor headquartered in Williston, with a second office in Lebanon, NH. Founded in 1988, Vermont Mechanical designs, engineers, fabricates, installs and services high quality and cost-effective mechanical systems for commercial HVAC and plumbing customers in Vermont, New Hampshire and New York. As Grizzly’s fourth partnership since launching in May 2025, Vermont Mechanical will serve as a key pillar of the platform and a catalyst for expansion in the New England region.

Vermont Business Magazine U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont) spoke in support of legislation led by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) to reform and right-size the Insurrection Act, an emergency, near-wartime authority measure President Trump has expressed interest in invoking in order to use the U.S. military to harass American citizens attending peaceful protests. In his remarks, Senator Welch demanded reforms to limit current and future administrations from abusing the Insurrection Act and deploying U.S. troops to police Americans exercising their right to free speech. The resolution was blocked by Senate Republicans.  

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) State Highway Safety Office (SHSO) held the annual Highway Safety Awards ceremony at the Vermont State House today. These awards are presented to highway safety professionals around the state for their exceptional work and commitment to keeping Vermont’s roadways safe for all users. “Today we honor these professionals whose hard work and dedication helps to keep people safe on our roads,” said Transportation Secretary Joe Flynn. “We wish to thank all those who were presented with awards as well as every Vermont highway safety professional working in law enforcement, education, engineering, and emergency medical services for their life-saving work.” 

Vermont Business Magazine The Department for Children and Families (DCF) has received federal guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) requiring all states to pause issuance of 3SquaresVT (SNAP) benefits until further notice as a result of the ongoing federal government shutdown. Due to the current lack of funding, Vermonters receiving benefits are encouraged to plan ahead and to stay up to date as more information becomes available. DCF is committed to helping Vermonters through this uncertain time.